Coutinho 2025 in action. Aston Villa is selling him to Vasco

Coutinho exit edges closer as Aston Villa clear PSR mistake

Adem Ozcan Last updated: Jun 29, 2025, 6:55 am
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Image: IMAGO / Fotoarena

Philippe Coutinho is finally set to leave Aston Villa, nearly two years since his last appearance for the club. Coutinho's Aston Villa exit marks the end of one of Villa’s most expensive and least productive deals in recent history.

Coutinho initially joined on loan from Barcelona in January 2022, reuniting with Steven Gerrard. His permanent move followed that summer, with a four-year contract reportedly worth £125,000 a week. But after a bright start, the deal quickly turned sour.

Vasco Move Close as Villa Look to Cut Wages

Now 32, Coutinho has spent time on loan in Qatar and at boyhood club Vasco da Gama. He’s found some stability in Brazil, and Vasco are keen to keep him.

Villa may terminate the midfielder’s deal early to allow a free transfer — a decision that would wipe his wages off the books and bring closure to a costly chapter.

“Coutinho was a luxury we couldn’t afford. This move fixes one of our biggest mistakes.” — SOURCE NAME HERE

2022 Signings Still Haunt Villa’s PSR Books

Coutinho’s exit isn’t just about wages — it’s about accounting. His 2022 signing forms part of the current three-year PSR cycle, which ends on June 30, 2025.

That same summer saw Villa sign Diego Carlos and Leander Dendoncker. Both have struggled to justify their fees, with Carlos now in Turkey and Dendoncker likely to leave this summer.

Monchi Moves to Fix Transfer Legacy

Villa sporting director Monchi, tasked with cleaning up this financial hangover, sees Coutinho’s departure as a major step forward. With a Europa League campaign looming, freeing space on the wage bill is vital for smarter summer recruitment.

Villa know their 2022 mistakes are still hurting them. By removing high earners like Coutinho, they can finally reset and move forward under Unai Emery’s vision.

Suggested Stats Table

Player Weekly Wage Villa Appearances Goals
Philippe Coutinho £125,000 43 6
Diego Carlos £100,000 32 1
Leander Dendoncker £85,000 27 0

Analyst Verdict

Cutting Coutinho loose signals the end of a reckless chapter. Villa are prioritising sustainability and smarter deals as the PSR clock resets.

Key Insights:

  • Coutinho likely to leave for free to join Vasco permanently
  • Villa’s 2022 transfer spend comes off PSR books this June
  • Monchi looking to clean up past errors
  • Dendoncker and other fringe players also likely to exit

What’s Next for Villa?

With PSR relief approaching, Villa can reset and focus on strengthening for another European campaign under Emery.

Is cutting ties with Coutinho the right call — or is there still a player there?

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